Predictions concerning
profession are troublesome because of the complex nature of modern, social,
economic, and political conditions. The texts we have are helpful only in
giving us a broad outline. On the basis of these texts we have to fill in and
readjust certain implications contained in the statements.

Mantreswara, for instance,
states: “One ought to predict the acquisition of money by determining whether
the Ascendant or the sign occupied by the Sun or the Moon is stronger. Then
find out the planet located in the 10th house from these, and the
Navamsa sign occupied by the lord of that sign. The sun refers to the father,
the Moon to the mother, Mars to foe, Mercury to friend, Jupiter to brother,
Venus to the wife, and Saturn to servant”. (5.1).

The Jataka Parijata is more helpful. There we read: “From the 10th
house you can ascertain a person’s authority, rank, ornaments, dress,
activities, agriculture, renunciation, religious activities, means of livelihood,
and fame” (15.1). Naturally the profession depends on one’s education, his
mental make-up and such others factors.

Then the 1st,
the 4th, the 5th and the 10th have to be
considered. Before we proceed further, let us take an example. If the 10th
house from the Ascendant has Mercury, and the 10th from the Sun and the Moon
have Mars and Rahu, and if the lords of these houses are Jupiter and Venus who
are in Navamsas owned by Saturn and Jupiter respectively, then we have to
examine Mercury, Mars, Rahu Jupiter, Venus and Saturn. The Moon as the lord of
the 5th house also enters the picture. This is too complex a
situation.

Bhattotpala does not say
that we have to reckon only from the strongest among the Ascendant, the Sun and
the Moon. He quotes Garga to support his contention that everyone of these
should be considered for determining the source of income. We have also to
ascertain whether the planet is in its own house, in its sign of exaltation, in
a friend’s house, or in an inimical sign. If the planets are malefic for that
chart, there will be great labour and little income. If the Sun is strong and
exalted, then one earns by his own exertion.

The profession of a native
is to be judged from the planet or planets occupying the 10th; and
if there is none, from those in the 1st and from those aspecting the
Sun and the Moon. Moreover, the planet posited very near the Sun or the 10th
also has an influence in this matter.

Jataka
Parijata declares that we must find out whether the Ascendant
is strong or the Moon. Then note the Navamsa occupied by the lord of the 10th
reckoned from the stronger one. If that sign belongs to the Sun, one deals in
medicine, wool, grass, water, grains, gold, pearls, and he may become a
mediator or ambassador. If it is the Moon, one lives by things derived from
water, by agriculture, clay, clothes, and controversies. That is, here are
indications for sailors, mariners, navigators, fishermen, boatmen, midwives,
nurses and others. If it is Mars, then we refer to metallurgy, war,
fire-control, stealing, adventure, and quarrels of others. Military jobs,
doctors, chemists, butchers, executioners, engine drivers, and all those
working in iron, steel or fire are covered here. If it is Mercury, one pursues
arts, poetry, traditional profession, priesthood, astronomy, astrology, and
scriptures. Literary authors, translators, writers, accountants, teachers,
mathematicians, lawyers, booksellers, printers and postmen also come under this
planet (15.44-47).

If the Navamsa sign
belongs to Jupiter, one earns by becoming an instructor, religious authority,
priest, moralist, philosopher and the like. Here come judges, scholars,
senators, clergymen and bankers. If it belongs to Venus, the earnings are
related to gold, ruby, elephants horses, cattle, jiggery, cooked rice, salt,
milk, curd and women. Here is a place for owners of hotels, confectioners,
shepherds, musicians, painters, linen drapers, jewelers, players, embroidery,
scent-dealers, maid-servants and the like. If the sign belongs to Saturn, one
earns by vile pursuits, wood engraving, executing, carrying the burdens of
others. Probably we have a place here for shoe-makers, scavengers, grave
diggers, undertakers, brick-layers, miners, and gardeners (15.48-50).

If the Sun and Mercury are
in the 10th, one earns as an astronomers or astrologers, or he lives
by articles derived derived from water, or by ornaments. Mars and Mercury in
the 10th make one scientific. Venus and Mars there give him trade in
foreign lands. Mercury and Saturn make one a copyist. Venus and Saturn give him
cosmetics, medicines, and trade 15.56-59).